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WRX front callipers, tarnished and dull, even rusting

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Old 08 November 2004 | 09:29 PM
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Question WRX front callipers, tarnished and dull, even rusting

Just been reading about the MY05’s on another thread

http://bbs.scoobynet.co.uk/showthread.php?t=377657

It was mentioned about the break callipers being red, now I am pretty sure it is not just me but my front callipers on my wrx are crap, the paint on them was never as good as the rear ones, they now look tarnished and dull, even rust coming out of the screw holes.

Has any body claimed for this under warrantee and had them replaced, I might add this is only a cosmetic problem and has no bearing on the function of the units as far as I can tell.

Advice Please? even if its don’t be vain and paranoid

AJax, Paul
Old 08 November 2004 | 09:51 PM
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MIne are the same, have you used wonder wheels?? It totally fecked my fronts up (cosmetically), they are now a bluey green . Not ried to claim though, has any one??
Old 08 November 2004 | 10:09 PM
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Originally Posted by austen_wrx
MIne are the same, have you used wonder wheels?? It totally fecked my fronts up (cosmetically), they are now a bluey green . Not ried to claim though, has any one??
Austen wrx: as it happens I have used wonder wheels, it’s for cleaning alloy wheels

So if this is a problem, tell me this, why are the rear ones perfect, they are as good as new and slightly darker grey and have always been that way, I bet if I were paint the front callipers they will void my warrantee.

Only thing I can think of is that heat has caused the suckers to go horrid.

Anyone else with us on this???

Ajax, Paul
Old 08 November 2004 | 10:14 PM
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Considering the extreme conditions they have to endure (wet/heat/vibration/road salt/use of wheel cleaners), it's no wonder they get a bit rough looking. After all, they are a primarily a functional unit. But there's nothing wrong in some folk wanting them to look good too!

Maybe if you paid for special upgraded performance one's with a high class finish, I could understand talking about claiming.

I have seen lots of people on SN extol the virtues of using hammerite paint, which personally I think is worth a go - if only on an inconspicuous edge first to test it out. Others however would poo poo it altogether and say that hammerite cannot stand up to the rapid changes/build up of heat in the calipers. There are specialist caliper paints, but they are a lot more expensive than using hammerite.
Old 08 November 2004 | 10:24 PM
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Pmarch: Thanks for your reply m8, yep it's vanity, if so I wonder why the MY05’s are red

I take it the WRX are red. Aren’t they??

Also are they the same unit??

Anybody??


Ajax
Old 08 November 2004 | 10:37 PM
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Originally Posted by Ajax
I wonder why the MY05’s are red

I take it the WRX are red. Aren’t they??
Do you mean the standard calipers on MY05 are red? - if so, I can understand anyone wanting them to stay looking nice. On the other hand, if you had a WR Blue, you would proabaly want WR Blue calipers? Mine on the MY01 are a dull greyish-green colour with the Subaru letters in white.
Old 08 November 2004 | 11:04 PM
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pmarch: if you look at the link to the thread on my first post

dietruboy says, I quote

All the red gone from the brake callipers yet? ;-) in reference to the WRX MY05 owners.

I really don’t give a dam what colour they are, if it has been recognised by Subaru the front callipers have become horrid looking and they have rectified in the MY05 there is a fault.

Surly it’s a warrantee claim.

Firstly I would like to know for sure, are the MY05’s now red?

Is it the same unit, just painted?

Does any body really care?

Rant over

Ajax
Old 08 November 2004 | 11:11 PM
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BRANDED BRIGHT RED BRAKE CALIPERS – – – – – – ● ● ● ●


http://www.subaru.co.uk/IMGGB/WWW/Su...D?Opendocument

yep they ar RED on the WRX!
Old 08 November 2004 | 11:37 PM
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Ajax

They are not the same MY02 bugeye unit painted red......... AFAIK you have a Well Lane car MY02 like mine ??

The new MY05 front callipers are smooth in the area of the Subaru Logo which now looks like a Transfer rather like our single pot rears !!

Does this help ??

Midlife.....
Old 08 November 2004 | 11:53 PM
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Midlife: you have a real good memory, yes my pride and joy came from Well Lane
And very pleased with the service that I received from them, would highly recommend anybody to use them if they want to save money.

Ah, so that has confirmed my suspicions, a change of front calliper.

Now if it’s not important to Subaru to have nice looking callipers, why go to all the trouble to make then look nice now, highlighting them by making them stand out in red.

Surly this if a confession that the front callipers were substandard in appearance.

So is it worth a claim on the warrantee, anybody tried claiming????????

Ajax
Old 09 November 2004 | 08:59 AM
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I'd be inclined to Hammerite them, you have choice of about 6 colours in smooth finish, and another 6 or so in hammered finish. About £6 a tin, and another £4 for the cleaner to clean the brushes after.(normal paintbrush cleaner won't touch it).

Hammerite DOES stand up to the abuse you get with braking, and they almost certainly WON'T void your warranty for painting them............give them a call and ask!

Alcazar
Old 09 November 2004 | 09:42 AM
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I used some cleaner from Autoglym on my MY04 alloys the other weekend. Bought the wheels up a treat........ but fooked the callipers. They're now a lovely shade of grey and green. (looks OK against the Silver car though)

I used Blue and Gold Smooth Hammerite on my MY99 callipers without any problems. No peeling, fading etc so I'll be painting the MY04 callipers sometime in the near future to look like.....



J.
Old 09 November 2004 | 06:26 PM
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I did mine with plasticote enamel from homebase, been on 6 months and its still as good as when i did them.

Old 09 November 2004 | 08:57 PM
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Originally Posted by Squadron-Leader
I used Blue and Gold Smooth Hammerite on my MY99 callipers without any problems.
J.
Now that sounds a great colour scheme. Also apologies to AJAX if I misunderstood about MY05 callipers - it's just my muddled mind and an aversion to clicking on links.
Old 09 November 2004 | 10:02 PM
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Well it does not look like I have whipped up a revolt over the state of the WRX break callipers.

I would have though customers would have complained bitterly and that’s why they upgraded to red replacements on the MY05.

Most of you seem happy to do a bit of DIY, must say that sparkykevs picture of his callipers looks a real treat; I do like the gold and white

Squadron-Leader: The dark blue would probably be the most practical, as the callipers get covered in dust in no time, would also look nice on my WR Blue car.

pmarch: sorry if my remarks were a little sharp, just was not sure where you were going

Do you have to remove them to paint them, or is it done in assembled with just the wheel removed?????

Has anybody else felt the need to moan to Subaru about this, or is it just me………..

Ajax, Paul
Old 09 November 2004 | 10:03 PM
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Used black floor paint on calipers for years. Works a treat and lasts forever.
Old 10 November 2004 | 12:00 PM
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Can be done in situ, usually needs two coats, but Hammerite dries in about 30 minutes, so easy to do, slide a piece of card or plastic under the edge to avoid paint on disc if you're cack handed.

Paint as Squadron Leader, or pick out letters by dabbing the tops of the letters with a small sponge dipped in paint........NOT soaked in paint, or a small brush if you're not...........etc etc

Alcazar
Old 10 November 2004 | 04:38 PM
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[QUOTE=Squadron-Leader]I used some cleaner from Autoglym on my MY04 alloys the other weekend. Bought the wheels up a treat........ but fooked the callipers. They're now a lovely shade of grey and green. (looks OK against the Silver car though)

I used Blue and Gold Smooth Hammerite on my MY99 callipers without any problems. No peeling, fading etc so I'll be painting the MY04 callipers sometime in the near future to look like.....

http://www.eastsussexscoobies.co.uk/misc/cal.jpg

J.[/QUOTE)

So Autoglym wheel cleaner still does that does it! That happened on my 99 and I told the rep on Autoglym stand at Autosport 3 years ago. Didn't do much did they. Plus when I picked up car when new prep firm had done same thing to all calipers! Dealer swapped all calipers from his demo at 1K service.
Old 10 November 2004 | 11:52 PM
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Alcaxar: thanks for the tips, looks like I’m going to have to get the paint pot out.

I think I will do them dark grey, don’t want to pick them out to much, just want to stop them looking like rusty old junk.

Vegescoob: I don’t buy into the cleaner explanation; the rear ones are just fine and have always looked better than the fonts.

Obviously an issue, because why change them to red ones on the MY05.

Ajax, Paul
Old 11 November 2004 | 12:17 AM
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Ajax, thing is I sprayed the Autoglym wheel cleaner on the front wheels left for recommended time ,washed off and finish had come off calipers but variably, less where wheel spokes had shaded calipers.I hadn't had a problem before using other makes of cleaner.
Old 11 November 2004 | 12:58 AM
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Vegescoob: I take your point, this is what happened to you, but I have used Wonder Wheels the same as austen_wrx: in the second post on this thread and have not seen a problem with this product.


Also have your rear ones gone tarnished, mine are still as good as new, perhaps a different paint was used, I still used the same cleaning product on them.

So if the Red MY05’s don’t go horrid and rusty why have the MY03 ones gone that way from new.

Any body with an MY05 with rusty callipers, anybody????
Old 11 November 2004 | 01:48 AM
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Ajax, rear cals on mine (slide type) are in better nick than fronts. They are a bit more shielded though. Thing is lots of variables come to mind. Are f&r cals same maker same material same finish spec. Who knows? Plus maybe aerodynamics play a part in how water from road does or doesn't get on cals and in winter all that lovely salt. Thing is I suspect Subaru will consider it purely cosmetic and as not affecting functionality. Just as many of the fasteners surface corrode as the sacrificial platings do their job.
Old 11 November 2004 | 08:08 AM
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The finish is different on the rear calipers, its a lot smoother, more like a plastic coating. No idea why though. :
Old 11 November 2004 | 09:15 AM
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Originally Posted by Ajax
Vegescoob: I take your point, this is what happened to you, but I have used Wonder Wheels the same as austen_wrx: in the second post on this thread and have not seen a problem with this product.


Also have your rear ones gone tarnished, mine are still as good as new, perhaps a different paint was used, I still used the same cleaning product on them.

So if the Red MY05’s don’t go horrid and rusty why have the MY03 ones gone that way from new.

Any body with an MY05 with rusty callipers, anybody????
Ajax

If anyone has rusty calipers when the first MY05 were on the road only 5 weeks ago, we're in trouble! I flippin' hope it takes a bit longer than that to go rusty. The only rust will be on the discs when its standing still, and that's a good excuse for a burn!
Old 11 November 2004 | 02:24 PM
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I bought an 03 WRX last year, and the front callipers were looking awful by the 1,000 mile service came round.
I had used Wonder Wheels on them though, and this got a lovely froth going, and left them looking decidedly dodgy!
I complained and they were replaced under warranty, but within a few months the new ones looked exactly the same as the old ones - without the aid of Wonder Wheels!
At this point I gave up, accepting that "they all do that"
I did spot the new red ones myself, and wondered if it worth trying for a new set again -Maybe worth a chat!
Old 11 November 2004 | 11:44 PM
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Wilko44: ahh I sense a man with spirit, at least someone has complained.

I think it’s a fair point, if the callipers are now replaced, painted red for show, and as with the old ones carrying the name of the company, should we not expect them to last a little longer than a few months from new, with out looking like scrap iron.

I am going to post a picture of my callipers on here at the weekend for comparison.

Mightyyid: Fair point about them only being out a few weeks, any chance of posting a picture of yer red ones please.

I can understand the disk looking rusty, because they are not painted, now the callipers are picked out by other manufactures in green for Skoda, and red on Hondas etc.

Never seen them rusty and looking like tat, like mine

Ausren wrx: Me thinks they are sub standard, that’s why they were replaced, with nice red ones

Subaru go on about voiding their warrantee by replacing parts that are not up to standard.

Surly if a part has been replaced with an improved version and obviously cosmetically enhanced, is that not an admission of supplying a substandard part from new.

Why should I have to paint them, surly it’s their job to do that!
Old 11 November 2004 | 11:52 PM
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Ajax

I'll send you a pic of my unpainted MY02 OEM callipers............ if any body wants to send a pic of their MY05 jobbies we can compare

Midlife....

Who fancies hosting the pic for me
Old 12 November 2004 | 12:06 AM
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Midlife.....

I can host them, send um over, you have mail

good idea we need to get some pic's up
Old 12 November 2004 | 12:16 AM
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Ajax

The pics are of the Godspeed discs so don't show the Callipers very well...

I'll mail them to you but will take a couple of better pics tomorrow.

Cheers

Shaun
Old 12 November 2004 | 03:04 PM
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Avalyn posted some pics of his 05 wagon last month, there's a pic of the front caliper. (obscuered by alloy a bit)


http://bbs.scoobynet.co.uk/showthread.php?t=367518

I'll try and take some close ups of mine and post them later.

Jason



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